Safeguarding

St Mary’s is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all children and expects all staff and visitors to share this commitment.

We operate robust safeguarding policies and procedures working closely with parents, carers and a range of outside organisations to ensure the young people entrusted with our care are kept safe and supported during difficult circumstances.

Guidance and Advice

If you are worried about your mental health or that of your child, the NHS in Leeds operates a Freephone helpline for under 18s between 8am and 8pm every day. They offer young people and their families or carers advice, support, someone to listen, or signposting as appropriate, regardless of the circumstance.

Support is also offered by the following organisations:

NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk

Students

If you are a student who is concerned about the behaviour of others towards you, you can speak to any member of staff or contact school using the STOP email (stop@stmarysmenston.org). All communication received is treated sensitively.

What do I do if I have a safeguarding concern?

If you have non-urgent concern, or are worried about your child’s wellbeing, please contact the relevant Student Progress Leader (see Contacts page) who will be able to discuss the matter with you.

If you have a safeguarding concern and believe a child may be at risk of harm, please contact a member of our Safeguarding Team via our Visitor Reception telephone number - 01943 883000.

Designated Safeguarding Lead - Miss Anderson
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Mrs Burrows and Mrs North
Student Safeguarding and Welfare Manager - Mrs Davis
Safeguarding Link Governor - Mr Adams (contact via Headteacher's PA)

Please indicate to the Receptionist that you have a safeguarding concern.

Our Parent Page also includes a list of links to Wellbeing sites.

Outside of school hours, when our Visitor Reception is closed, please telephone 999 or 112 if someone is in immediate danger.

You can also ring the local authority social worker team directly if you have a concern outside of school hours or during the holidays.

Leeds Children's Social Work Services on 0113 222 4403. Further information can be found on the Leeds local authority website.
Bradford Children’s Social Work Services 01274 433999. Further information can found on the Bradford local authority website.

For concerns that do not require an emergency response, please ring 101.

You can also contact the following organisations that have a dedicated helpline and websites giving advice on a wide range of topics:

NSPCC telephone 0808 8005000 If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, you can speak to the NSPCC for advice, support and the next steps to take if a child’s in danger.
Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and 9am – 6pm at the weekend. You can contact them online 24 hours a day or Report online.
Email: help@nspcc/org.uk
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger Provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you need urgent help, texts are free to YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
NHS telephone 111
Childline telephone 0800 1111
Samaritans telephone 116 123

What are the safeguarding policies for St Mary's?

The following policies are available by clicking on this link to our policies page.

Child Protection – this is sensitive area in which all staff receive regular training. The school works with families and other services to support the needs of its students. There is also a named Governor for Child Protection. The Child Protection Policy can be viewed by parents on request or on our website.
Attendance – students’ attendance at school is monitored on a daily basis and notable absences or patterns of absences are followed up by the staff. In more serious cases the Attendance Strategy Team will become involved. The school prides itself on its very good attendance figures.
Behaviour – high standards of behaviour are expected in school at all times. The school’s policy is to follow a hierarchy of sanctions should students transgress. Good behaviour is rewarded and strategies to support students are put in place when appropriate.
Curriculum – through the planned curriculum we ensure that the aspects of a healthy lifestyle and safety are taught. This aspect is enhanced by the many visitors to school, eg Safer Schools Officer.
Safer Recruitment and Selection – Governors ensure that all staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis undertake a DBS check and full references are acquired before a person takes up an appointment.